AAAAHHHH!!!!

Yesterday, I picked up one of Ian's toys and saw something from underneath running towards the TV stand. Out of the corner of my eyes, I thought what I saw was a very small scorpion. "AAAAHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Paul came down the stairs to inquire about my scream as I quickly moved Laurel and Ian away from the area. You'd think something that small couldn't possibly be dangerous and I was just overreacting, but NO! The smaller the scorpion, the more potent the venom. Paul moved the heavy TV stand out from the wall, hoping to find what I saw. Instead he found the carcass of a bigger, fortunately already dead, scorpion.

We were getting ready to head out the door, so we couldn't keep looking for that damn scorpion. Plus there was no guarantee we'd find something that small among all the TV/stereo/TiVo cords. We went to the store and then to my parents for a barbeque. Five hours later we arrived home. I opened the door, when what to my tired eyes did I see, but the same small scorpion. At least I think it was the same scorpion, for all I know there's an entire family of them residing in my house.

Paul walked around to the other entry door and went to the kitchen to grab some clear packaging tape. I was trying to keep my eyes on the scorpion while holding Laurel and keeping a very curious Ian at bay. Paul snuck up behind the scorpion and quickly pressed the tape down onto its body, killing it.

Now, I'm picking everything off the floor (blankets, toys, newspapers, magazines, kids, etc.) when we're done using it. Shoes are mandatory, especially downstairs and outside. We are checking the beds before hopping in for the night. I do an inspection of the premises every morning before the kids are let loose on the carpet. It seems that all my dreams include scorpions these days, and rattlesnakes now that we've found some holes out in the landscape. Oh the joys of living in the desert. I think we need a cat and chickens. Unfortunately, I'm highly allergic to cats, and our HOA would probably frown upon us having chickens. Next solution...hmmm, sticky tape to stop them in their tracks? Actually, we did try this and all we caught were lizards, poor things. Ring of fire around the house? No wait, I don't think they swim. That's it, we need a moat!