Never Ever Dull
With every conversation, I always seem to end with "Never a dull moment"....our lives are rich, complex, and beautiful stories. Join me in laughing about everyday things and appreciating life-bumpy roads and all.
"Die. Die. Die." I muttered the words over and over as I stared at each one. My daughter had opened the front door and stood behind me silently. Then, she quietly peeped, "Mom, who are you talking to? Are you ok?" I nodded and whispered, "It's everywhere. and I want it all to go away, far, far away." The "it" was and is my latest enemy in my yard. Unfortunately, I discovered it three weeks ago while chopping down my azalea bushes to the height of my mid-thigh. Or maybe I should say, "I didn't discover it." Poison ivy. Yep, my biggest foe in the battle to tame my property. Dressed in my black gym clothes, I armed myself with my plastic container of weed killer. Every step was discreetly taken. I spoke in a whisper-like voice to my Blonde who was shaking her head watching me as if I was a soldier ready for combat. Why did I whisper? Well, a few weeks back, when I started the total-let's-change-the-look-of-the-front-yard gig, my neighbor approached me. It went something like this: Neighbor: So, you're going to cut back all the azaleas? Me: Yes, You have to wait until they are finished blooming to do that kind of pruning. (I sounded so knowledgeable!) Neighbor: That's true. Do you know what poison ivy looks like? Me: Sure do. Neighbor: Well, be real careful when you start all that trimming. There's bound to be ivy in there. Me: Thanks (with a bit of an attitude of "I know what I'm doing") Fast forward and a confession: I got poison ivy. I got it everywhere. I mean, I think my poison ivy got poison ivy. I wore long pants and skirts and long sleeved shirts and jackets for three whole weeks. Yes, even as the temps came close to 90 degrees. I didn't want to expose my skin. I looked like a big ol' connect-the-dot coloring book and felt like an Amish woman as I swished around in skirts that came below my ankles. Let's just say Benedryl's anti-itch creme replaced my daily regiment of rubbing lotion that tightens-your-skin-and-will-give-you-a-bronze-glow-all-in-one. I bathed in Benedryl. I continued to speak in hushed tones. I was back in the front yard and had finally recovered enough to go back to the combat zone....I just didn't want my neighbor to see me. I was ready to take on my enemy with my jug of weed killer. But, it didn't work after observing it like a poison-ivy crazed woman.. I googled and realized I needed the heavy duty stuff: Round Up Poison Ivy Killer. What's the difference? I have no idea. But my Plan A didn't produce dying poison ivy leaves, so I was on to Plan B. Today, I headed outside ready with my newest plastic spray container and ready to implement Plan B. That neighbor I mentioned earlier drove by and waved. Then, he stopped. Ugh. He hollered, "Everything ok?" Double ugh. I slowly made my way to him. He stated that he hadn't seen me working in the yard and was concerned. I held up my Plan B container and let him know that he was right. Poison ivy was everywhere in my mini-jungle of azaleas....and er....I guess I didn't really know what poison ivy looked like. He didn't give me a lecture. Just nodded with sympathy and said he wasn't surprised. I emptied my Plan B container. No brown leaves...yet.. And thankfully, no little bumps appearing. =)
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AuthorFun-loving mom to 4 kids and 1 big puppy. Fifth grade teacher of amazing little people who have never ending things to share with me. Love to discuss Jesus, diy projects, and life. Trying to keep it simple: Love Jesus, love people. Archives
December 2021
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