the itsy bitsy spider...
There are 3 types of homes here at Fort Benning: homes that have cockroaches, homes that have spiders and homes that have both cockroaches AND spiders. Since we moved here in January we have been a solid just cockroach home...until the past few days. Spiders have moved in.
This is a horrifying twist to daily life for me. I feel the tickle on my leg and I am immediately on my feet slapping at my leg in attempt to kill the dog hair. Everytime I enter a room, I feel like a SWAT team member who has to clear it first, checking all the corners just in case. A little ridiculous? Yes, but I cannot help it.
"Hi. My name is Julia Sifers. And I'm an arachnophobic."
This past week I was up early to head to the commissary to avoid the crowds. I had thrown clothes on myself and Wes, made sure Mac (our Bernese Mountain dog) was all set, had my list and diaper bag in hand, opened the door and there, waiting on the step was a black spider coming towards me as if I had opened the door welcoming him in. I slammed the door and took a deep breath. Wes, who was in his carseat on the dryer, gave me a confused look. I realized I had to brave, for him. So I opened the door again, hoping that the spider had realized he was unwelcome, but no. I slammed the door.
This went on another 3 or 4 times, until I realized I had to kill it. I took a deep breath, and closed my eyes (this is never helpful when killing a spider) and stepped right on him. When I lifted my foot, he was unphased and continued crawling towards me. I tried again. Still nothing. I realized the treads in my sneakers were allowing the incredibly talented spider to tuck into a ball and ninja out of sudden death. One last try and I had injured his legs. Now I have to hand it to him, he was wicked determined. He kept coming, dragging his 2 squished legs with him.
I decided this plan wasn't working. So I threw a paper-towel over him and took a deep breath and started screaming and jumping up and down all over the paper-towel. (I'm not sure what killed him, the screaming or the jumping up and down.)
Julia: 1. Evil Black Spider: 0.
The spider was dead. I headed out towards the car, with an amazing feeling of satisfaction. However, as soon as I sat down, a wave of nausea hit. I killed a spider all on my own. (I typically scream and Nik comes to my rescue. If he isn't home, I will call someone to be on the phone and talk me through it.) I wasn't able to kill the spider for my own relief, I had done it to protect my Westley. I just couldn't except the thought of the spider harming him. So though dramatic, I was successful.
Exhausted, but triumphant I headed out to conquer my grocery list.
I am happy to say, since then there have been very few sitings of either spiders or cockroach (knock on wood) and the nice Fort Benning Bug Spray Man, Jack, is on his way.
This is a horrifying twist to daily life for me. I feel the tickle on my leg and I am immediately on my feet slapping at my leg in attempt to kill the dog hair. Everytime I enter a room, I feel like a SWAT team member who has to clear it first, checking all the corners just in case. A little ridiculous? Yes, but I cannot help it.
"Hi. My name is Julia Sifers. And I'm an arachnophobic."
This past week I was up early to head to the commissary to avoid the crowds. I had thrown clothes on myself and Wes, made sure Mac (our Bernese Mountain dog) was all set, had my list and diaper bag in hand, opened the door and there, waiting on the step was a black spider coming towards me as if I had opened the door welcoming him in. I slammed the door and took a deep breath. Wes, who was in his carseat on the dryer, gave me a confused look. I realized I had to brave, for him. So I opened the door again, hoping that the spider had realized he was unwelcome, but no. I slammed the door.
This went on another 3 or 4 times, until I realized I had to kill it. I took a deep breath, and closed my eyes (this is never helpful when killing a spider) and stepped right on him. When I lifted my foot, he was unphased and continued crawling towards me. I tried again. Still nothing. I realized the treads in my sneakers were allowing the incredibly talented spider to tuck into a ball and ninja out of sudden death. One last try and I had injured his legs. Now I have to hand it to him, he was wicked determined. He kept coming, dragging his 2 squished legs with him.
I decided this plan wasn't working. So I threw a paper-towel over him and took a deep breath and started screaming and jumping up and down all over the paper-towel. (I'm not sure what killed him, the screaming or the jumping up and down.)
Julia: 1. Evil Black Spider: 0.
The spider was dead. I headed out towards the car, with an amazing feeling of satisfaction. However, as soon as I sat down, a wave of nausea hit. I killed a spider all on my own. (I typically scream and Nik comes to my rescue. If he isn't home, I will call someone to be on the phone and talk me through it.) I wasn't able to kill the spider for my own relief, I had done it to protect my Westley. I just couldn't except the thought of the spider harming him. So though dramatic, I was successful.
Exhausted, but triumphant I headed out to conquer my grocery list.
I am happy to say, since then there have been very few sitings of either spiders or cockroach (knock on wood) and the nice Fort Benning Bug Spray Man, Jack, is on his way.
I am so the same way about spiders! And I HATE squishing them - ugh! My possibly helpful little tip is to get them to crawl into or scoop them into a plastic cup and then flush them down the toilet... :-)
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