Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Chiggers and ticks and mosquitos, oh my

We managed to get into some chiggers during the fishing trip, yesterday. At least the kids did, and dh managed to get some ticks, somewhere. I had sprayed the kids with repellant before leaving, and took the bottle with us. I tried to watch where they stepped, at the river, but I guess it only takes one little brush with a leaf or stick that has chiggers on it, to get a full crop of them. Next time we go, I will take the 'power' spray, I don't think this worked too well.
Today, it was mosquitos that tried to eat us up. And then, at 11:50am, our power went off, when a tree fell on the power line about a mile from our house. It took them 4 hrs to get it fixed, and that was during the hottest part of the day. We survived, and the kids actually enjoyed their time with ice packs. They did ask to go to their room and watch tv, since the big one wasn't working, lol. And kept asking if we could turn the air back on, as they were getting warm.
Jettie

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Big Fishing Expedition

Dh and the boys have been talking fishing for months, so yesterday they dug a few worms, and promptly set them in the sun, to die....So yesterday, no fishing.
This morning, they went digging, again, and found about 50 worms, so they pitched the fishing poles in the back of my car, I buckled all three excited kids, ages 7-4-4 into the back seat, and off we went. I don't even have a license, but what difference can that make, when I wouldn't have time to fish, anyway...
We get to the lake, and saw about 50 Canadian Geese on the bank. I put hooks on all the rods, and send them one by one to poppy, who is out on the fishing ramp, waiting. The wind had picked up, so that meant that all the kids thought the ramp was moving, and they wanted to know if we were headed to 'the island', which is two little high spots, with trees on them, about 500 ft from where we were fishing. After about an hour of running back to car, taking kids to bathroom, and getting sodas, but not even bringing one tiny fish to the bank, we left there, and went to the Fourche LaFave' boat ramp. No one was there, so we got out the rods, put worms on them, and Skylar promptly slid down in the mud, Stephen managed to break his line, and there was a weak spot in the line, so he ended up with Skylar's rod. Jerry took his rod around to the bank on the left of the boat ramp, and left me with all three kids, so I spent my time casting their lines, and putting worms on for them. Stephen finally went around where Jerry was, and of course the other two were wanting to follow, but I put a stop to that, by putting Jd's line in a small area of roots, and he caught a 'whopper', but it got away, just as we got it clear of the water. It was all of about 3 inches long, but to hear them tell it, it was a keeper. By that time, all 3 kids were bored with fishing, wanting to go to Sonic, and pitching sticks and rocks into the water. Jerry saw a big fish jump after a bug, and cast one more time, caught a small branch on a tree just above where he was aiming, and managed to break his line....So, I buckled everyone in the car, and came home, vowing never to go fishing again, lol. I didn't stop at Sonic, as it would have taken more money than I had in my purse to feed that bunch of hungry fishermen and gals..

Isn't it funny how men have such short memories about these 'trips'? He will be ready to do it again, in a couple of weeks....I still remember these trips from when our girls were little, and the youngest will soon be 29.