Oh...Uh...YIKES!!!

I'm babysitting the view of my porch from my back door. I'm standing here, shaking. My heart is racing, but starting to slow down now that I've made the necessary phone calls - first to the fire department, next to, ummmm, I can't recall the agency's name, but someone will be here soon. Soon, yes, soon I hope.

The kids and I head outside to enjoy a semi cool but humid morning. Monsoon season brings us a little relief in the heat department. I thought we would take advantage of it and enjoy the backyard. Ian grabs his big dump truck and Laurel follows me as I begin sweeping the porch.

Behind a storage box I notice the pool noodles and decide to move them and check for scorpions. Laurel eagerly waits to play with each one I hand her shortly after a thorough inspection. She runs after Ian and I bend down to pull out the last noodle. As my hand reaches for the styrofoam toy, I freeze. No, no, no, no, no, it can't be. I blink, "Where are the kids? I have to get the kids inside." The thought keeps racing through my head.

I grab Laurel like a football and hold her firmly under my arm and grab Ian by the arm. The only open door is next to the storage box the thing is hiding behind. Determined, I walk Ian and I to the door, open it, jump us both in, solidly close the door and lock it.

Phone calls are made and they should be here in about 20 to 30 minutes to remove a...



RATTLESNAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now, I'm not particularly afraid of snakes, I use to own a harmless garter snake. But when they're venomous, that's another story entirely.

I'm so grateful I discovered it and not the kids. I can't stop all the "What if's" from going through my head.

*So a guy just called and said he would be right over, whew. I'm sending a huge thank you and donation to the Arizona Herpetological Association.