Oh and I Forgot!

After months of nothing, we had a live stink bug sighting in the house yesterday!
Prepare yourself for the stink bug apocalypse!
Behave!

On Stinkbugs...

I get a lot of hits on my Stinkbug post - Where Have All the Stinkbugs gone?
I know people are curious, but the truth is...I don't know where they went!
There used to be hundreds in my house and now they're gone. My sister had even more than me, and, guess what? Hers are gone, too. (We had a contest and trust me when I say she won. The amount of stinkbugs she had was amazing!) Our other sister has seen a few on her tomato plants, but none in her house.
No one I know has experienced the plague of biblical proportions as we expected. As I mentioned in the post I linked to above, they are supposed to hibernate for 6-8 months. Wouldn't they hibernate in the winter though? I mean, we barely saw them in the winter unless the heat was cranked up or we had an unseasonably warm day. Spring brought hundreds and just when the weather really got nice and warm they disappeared.
I don't know what it means. Maybe they're off somewhere - plotting and waiting. Maybe they're in cahoots with my garden gnomes. I don't know. I'm wary and watchful though.
I'll let you know the second I see one...
Behave!

It IS Monday!

I knew it was before I even opened my eyes this morning. Heck, I knew it before I closed them last night! And I did not like it! I distinctly remember the days when I loved Monday. I no longer love Monday.
Though, it doesn't feel like someone's holding a blow torch on me anymore. That's one good thing.
And it rained. Also good.
We dropped K3 at my sister's so he can go on vacation with them. That is good and sad. He was very excited and will have so much fun with his cousin, but I will miss him.
Oh! And! My sister has stink bugs! On her vegetables in the garden! I haven't seen them for myself, but I have no reason to doubt her. I checked my veges and they're completely fine. So where did my stink bugs go?
Harry Potter totally rocked! Loved it! I left the theater very sad. I felt the same way when I left the theater after seeing LotR, RofK. It's over...And, right now, I cannot imagine loving something else as much as I have loved the Harry Potter series.
And...that's about it for this Monday. I'm going to try to get a few words cranked out before my pillow needs me.
Behave!

More On Stinkbugs...

So I finally got our bedroom cleaned (It's been on my list for weeks). And it was a major cleaning that netted 2 huge bags for donation...I feel good about that and the extra drawer and closet space. (and I cleaned out part of K4's closet to store the winter clothes.)
In doing so I found about a bazillion dead stink bugs and not one single live one.
One thing I discovered was that stink bugs that have been dead for a while get all hollow and stuff. The inside of their hollow bodies are red. (I found at least forty-five million in a drawer) I don't "think" they stink anymore. I didn't smell anything when I sucked up their dead butts. There were only dead ones in the places I really expected to find at least one live one.
I don't know what that means...I guess we'll see. I'm not lowering my guard though. It's too dangerous. They are too tricky. I don't miss them, that's for sure, but I'm not convinced they are gone for good.
In other news, there's a lightning bug flying around my house right now. It was a little startling when he starting lighting up, but now I like it. Lightning bugs are much better than flies.
It's too freaking hot right now. I'm counting the minutes until I can head into the air conditioning...
Behave!

Stink Bugs....

I've gotten a lot of traffic around here lately on the subject of stink bugs...
The truth is...I haven't seen a single one in weeks, except dead ones.
Not a single one.
And that is very weird.
I don't know what happened to them, but I can't say I'm sad about it. I do live in fear though. Fear that they'll come back with a vengeance (wait for it!).
Behave!

Where Have the Stinkbugs gone?

Okay, so they're not gone completely, but the biblical plague I was told to expect did not happen.
For that, I am grateful.
I still see a few every once in a while, but the scourge I thought I would be dealing with is not in my house. Is it in yours?
I wonder if its because they're supposed to hibernate for 6 or 8 months or something. That's kind of scary, because what if, when they come out of hibernation, it's worse than a biblical plague? Maybe they just died off? I don't know.
Now, though, I am dealing with piss ants. I don't know if that's what they're really called. They're the little ones and they're everywhere. I can't find where they're getting in. I am sick of them. I even found one on my arm while I was in bed the other night, which prompted B and I to get out of bed, turn the light on, and pull the covers back to make sure the bed wasn't infested. They're irritating, though if they were stink bugs I would be insane by now.
I'm just sayin'
That is all.
Behave!

I'd Hoped....

That we'd seen the worst of the stink bugs.
Bwah ha ha ha!!! I was sorely, sorely mistaken! They are freaking everywhere!
There were none when I walked in the door tonight, but shortly after...yeah, freaking deluge! And it's getting worse. The husband just came down from upstairs and said he killed 5 in the bathroom. I was in there 10 minutes ago and there were none.
I'm a little afraid, but you already knew that.
Oh, and don't be surprised if you see someone who looks like me in that site that showcases weird people at that mega store that's open 24 hours and has everything you can imagine. Our fan died in our room the other day and neither one of us have been sleeping right since. We borrowed K4's for two nights, but she insisted we give it back. It's pretty warm today and B insisted we go for a new fan so we can both get a decent night's sleep. I was already in my comfy pants and refused to change...so...I went in comfy pants, my work shirt, and orange flipflops.
I was nothing to look at compared to some of the people we saw. Like the woman in the motorized cart with legs as big as B's body and flies all over them. Pitiful, and I felt really sorry for her. Then there was the couple with 42-million packages of feminine products and a frying pan in their cart. Ummm....
Oh, and fans cost a freaking fortune! I almost died when we checked out!
And that is all...
Behave!

The Best Kind of Surprise...

Our parents will celebrate their 50th anniversary next weekend.
So, of course, you know what we did...
We've been planning this party for ages. Some things didn't turn out the way we'd planned, and illness kept a few people away, but I think this party ranks as the best.
My uncle from California came in, and my cousins from Georgia, and my aunt and cousins from Delaware (who have never been here before).
And even though my dad knew something was up and my mom was suspicious (how could you not be with such a milestone?), they had no idea we (and when I say we, I really mean my very persistent and persuasive sister) convinced them all to come. There were tears (the good kind) and shock and for a minute there we worried that we shouldn't have surprised them with everyone all at once, but it was all good.
Good food, good company, lots of good stories, lots and lots of laughing, staying up until nearly 3:30 am and then getting up a few hours later, stink bugs (my sister might just have them worse than me!), ghosts, puppies, lots of laughing....it was a fantastic weekend.
...and that's why I missed posting yesterday...
Behave!

Dear...

Dear Neighbors,
Thank you for stopping the annoying horn blowing. You can stop being jerks now, though. Living in a neighborhood doesn't mean you have to be pals with your neighbors, but you should have some consideration for others. And that doesn't mean yelling at them every time you see them out, or glaring at them when they're minding their own business. I don't think you'll ever get that, though.

Dear Weather,
Please just one more huge snowstorm. Please? I know people will hate me for that, but I feel cheated by the amount of snow we had this year. I want one major blowout that forces us to stay home and watch LotR and drink Mimosas all day long. I want to make brownies, shovel (yeah, I'm nuts), cook fantastic food, write, and nap. Please?

Dear Dog,
Please stop falling down the stairs in the middle of the night. You make me worried and sad. We're not being mean when we block your way at night and make you stay safe on the first floor. And being gone all day doesn't mean we don't love you. Please stop shunning us when we come home. We're happy to see you. I know it's different, but it'll be okay.

Dear House,
Clean yourself. Please.

Dear Stink Bugs,
Go away. Please.

Okay. That's enough nonsense for now. I need to write.
Behave!

Total Invasion...

I said I was scared of the warmer temps and what might happen with the stink bugs. I'd like to amend that to terrified or maybe red alert.
Holy cow! One super nice day and I come home to disgusting critters every where I look.
I pulled out the vacuum and sucked about twelve out of K4's room (don't tell her, she thinks it was only three). A bunch in the hall, and it my room. Put the vacuum away and find another one, then another one (this one actually on the toilet). Turn on the living room lights and find at least five dead ones near the front door...and oh, I'm not going to count them all, but there are way too many (including the one that just flew in somewhere near my head).
I have to stop thinking about it or I will never get to sleep tonight. I'm already freaking out over every little itch and rub of clothing against my skin.
But what's it going to be like after it's been warm like this for days? Are we going to have to move? Or use explosives?
I do not like it.
Behave!

Wednesday Wrap Up

I'm catching up with myself a little.
Laundry is being done as I type. The kitchen sparkles like it only does when B or I do dishes (my turn). The paper stack has grown, but that damned mail won't stop coming. Neither will the school papers.
I wrote - probably my best word count this year, which is kinda sad, considering, but I'm not complaining. Progress is progress and words on the page are words on the page. You can't edit a blank page. Right?
The warmer temps have brought the stink bugs out of hiding once again. I have to tell you how terrified I am for spring. Just tonight I've been divebombed by one, there's one buzzing the living room lights, I've flushed two in the bathroom, and there's one trapped under my soda can beside me.
There were a lot of auto accidents out there today. I passed two on my way home. My sister passed one. My son's friends were in a pretty bad one (everyone is okay - just banged up a little and their car is totalled). Sirens seemed to go off constantly. I'm not sure if the nicer weather did something to people's ability to pay attention or if the roads were slick from the melting ice and snow.
Mid way through the week. I'm having a hard time remembering that. I'm hoping this weekend is helpful for me getting caught the rest of the way up. There are things I need to take care of that I haven't even mentioned, or really thought of yet, but one thing's certain - I've got to give some things up. I can't do everything, do it right, and stay sane. And, yeah, it was a hard decision thanks to my Superwoman syndrome.
And that is all for now...
Behave!

Sunday Stink Bugs...

So the temperature rises over 20 degrees and the stink bugs come back out?
One flew right into K4's forehead (Or her "Ford Head" as she used to call it.) earlier. There was much screaming and complaining about that, though she did give it the viking funeral it deserved. I found three in the bathroom after my shower. B sucked at least six up while he was cleaning the living room (most of them where I sit on the couch). There were several at my mom's and we just dropped another one in the living room.
We told our stories about them. And I didn't even get the disbelieving stare I usually get when I tell people I got bit. Mom found one in the fridge. My brother threw one out in the snow and watched as the snow around it turned brown. My sister's cat plays with them and instead of getting rid of them, they flick them at each other. We all agreed that they are the most annoying and disgusting things ever.
Though we discussed a theory that only one of the sexes sprays the stink.
That makes sense because sometimes there is no smell no matter how much you mess with them. And sometimes all you have to do is look at one and it stinks.
I also think it's bunk that they don't lay their eggs inside homes. I'm seeing little ones and huge ones around here.
So there's the Sunday Stink Bug news...
Behave!

Stink Bug Surge

In preparing for the holiday, I spent some time helping K4 clean her hideously disgusting bedroom so she and her cousin have a place to escape the crowd and hang out. Maybe not a good use of the little bit of availablecleaning time I have, but necessary. Two bags of clothes for charity, a big garbage bag of trash, and many many stink bugs. It really wasn't that bad, but her room is small so it looked worse than it was. I have learned not to freak out about the dozens of qtips, tons of paper, and other things that are really garbage. It seems to be the way it is, especially with my girls. Junior hoarders...or something. I don't know, but it is a passing phase.
But the stink bugs...
Her window covering had fallen and as I reached for the edge, it flipped...revealing probably thirty stink bugs. This is after finding at least ten of the little suckers just hanging out on the front. I was disgusted. I took the whole thing down and threw it in the yard. The stink bugs were everywhere. Everywhere. I'd move something and smell the stink. I guess we stirred them up, because the next thing we knew, they were on the walls. Disturbing and disgusting. B thinks they're coming in around the air conditioner that needs to come out. I duct taped the edges for now - until we can get it out, so they better not find another way in.
Anyway. It was gross and disturbing and horrible. Her room is very clean now and I am monumentally relieved the chore is done.
But she couldn't sleep last night. She said she felt like they were crawling on her. I don't blame her. That's all I could think about when I went to bed.
*shiver*
Behave!

Things...

I am wondering about...
1. Does being bitten by a stink bug make you more attractive to other stink bugs? I wonder this because I had one fly into my hair yesterday, and one dive bomb me while I was outside. Scary stuff.
2. Why didn't I remember it was supposed to rain today? The K's went to school without umbrellas.
3. Why do people, after you've mistakenly dialed a wrong number, insist on calling you back to find out who you are? I dialed a wrong number yesterday, realized my mistake and hung up, and then was harassed the rest of the evening by kids insisting they needed to know who I am. I ended up having to block the number. For crying outloud!
4. Where did all of the socks go?
5. On that note, where did all of my son's sweatshirts go?
6. Is it possible that I can take a nap today?
7. My house is quiet. Can I deal with that? It's been so long.
8. Why do I always decide to talk a walk on rainy days? Is it some kind of self sabotage?
That's enough why for one day.
Behave!

Stuff

Totally borrowing from my friend Natalie here. Her post on what she's behind on made me think about what I'm behind on, so I'm going to be a copycat today. Ha!
1. Editing. I took a break to write something new - mainly to prove to myself that my brain is not broken. And guess what? It's not. And that's what I needed to find out. I don't know if I'll continue working on it, or if it'll just be an exercise, but I do like the premise and my brain is turning over the plot, so who knows?
2. Housework. Not the regular stuff that has to be done all of the time (though don't come over right now!), but the closet cleaning out, the basement cleaning, the clothing switchouts and donations.
3. Television. About the only thing I manage to catch is Supernatural. I want to watch Castle and I'm behind on Ghosthunters. And, sadly, no TiVo here.
4. Decorating. I pulled the Fall/Halloween stuff out of the basement about a week ago and it's still sitting in my living room. It's not that much. At all. But the reason it's not out yet is number five.
5. Yardwork. The weeds and dead plants in front of my house make me feel bad. I worked hard to keep that stuff alive all summer and then I kept forgetting to water them. The pea vine and weeds have taken over the front flower bed.
6. Filing. Everything is stuffed into a drawer...waiting for me to organize.
7. Volunteer work. I have to take care of updating databases, organizing a fundraiser, and catching up on filing for that too.
8. Kid stuff. K4's violin needs exchanged for a bigger size. Her clarinet needs re-corked and new reeds need ordered.
9. In the same category...K3 needs shoes and jeans and socks. K4 needs socks (heck, everyone needs socks) and jeans. Getting to the store together has been an issue.
10. Planning. There are a few big events looming and I am plan-less.
But I'm too tired to think about any of this stuff tonight. And there's a stink bug flying around the light and he's freaking me out a little (and I do still have a mark from where he bit me. Someone told me tonight that it can take 3 weeks for it to go away. Stupid bugs.)
Behave!