It`s Just Been One of Those Days
Posted on September 27, 2008 - Filed Under Kids, Mom Stuff |
Man, I feel like my blog is getting rather negative, but maybe it`s all the rain. 
Today was another pouring day, though we had a few minutes of just clouds in the morning.
The day began at 5 am, with both boys up and fighting right off the bat. Oh, what fun! Thankfully, they never usually fight for long, so today was unusual in that . . . they didn`t get along all day! Still, I managed to keep them distracted with different things so they weren`t near each other for a bit.
After a quick breakfast, they both wanted to go outside, around 7. It wasn`t raining yet, Tasha was bouncing around, begging for some little boy attention and it`s a Saturday, so I let them head out. Zanelle, their cousin, came out, too and the three of them were playing with Tasha out on the path. All good, right?
Well, THEN, I hear this shriek and shouts of “Culebra, Culebra!” Which means snake to the non-Spanish speakers in the group. Irving told me to run and see what was going on, so I did. Turns out the boys were out in the grass, talking to Irving`s uncle on the other side of the fence and a snake slithered toward them from the uncle`s side. Thank goodness he had a hoe with him and he reacted quickly, chopping it`s head off before it got to the other side. They said it was a rattlesnake, though I really can`t identify snakes at all (on a sidenote, I Googled “how to identify a snake” and got this: “A snake is a long, thin reptile that has no legs and slithers on the ground.” Uh, how DUMB do they think I am?!).
So, the snake was dead, no harm done, right? I wasn`t too stressed about the whole thing, oddly enough, considering how much I usually worry about stuff that will never happen. But my mother-in-law was a different story. She spent an hour, I kid you not, lecturing us on how the children should not be let outside alone, without an adult RIGHT BESIDE them and how we are so neglectful because we let the grass grow and snakes could be hiding in it. Now, to be clear, the grass was only about 2 inches high. And it`s not really thick. If there was a snake in it, I`m pretty sure it wouldn`t feel too hidden. And secondly . . . it wasn`t even our yard she was talking about . . . it was HERS! Apparently we are now responsible for hiring someone to cut her grass as well as our own. And apparently, even though the gardener came just two weeks ago, we are horrible people for not calling him back the second a blade of grass dared to poke its head above the dirt. Oh, and don`t get her started on the piles (like two teensy, weensy) of brush where snakes are KNOWN to hide and then attack poor, neglected children who aren`t allowed to eat candy or white bread.
That was the morning. 
Then Irving left at noon, Dante had himself a nice little nap and Dorian watched a movie. It was relatively peaceful. Then lunch came. I`m seriously considering not having meals anymore. They are such a big deal. We had a little bit of juice to drink with the meal, which was quite simple, poached eggs. Dorian was told he had to eat before having juice. Let`s just say not only did he not get juice, he also got sent to bed. Several times. Finally he slept for 20 min. and got up in a terrible mood. 
By this time it was pouring rain. The boys decided today was an excellent day to test Mama, so they did everything I said not to . . . not once, not twice, not thrice . . . you get the picture. I was ready for bed by 5. Dante ripped the cords out of my internet box, so I had no internet until that reset itself and let me tell you, I`m NOT happy without my internet! Especially when I have blogs to write!
As we speak, both boys are in bed. It`s just after 6 pm. Dante was the only one going to bed originally, but Dorian took up his brother`s cause and screamed “He`s MINE!” And hit me with all his might. So he ended up going to bed first. I`m seriously hoping for some peace here!
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6 Responses to “It`s Just Been One of Those Days”
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Snakes eat RATS and MICE. They are relatively clean - won’t get into your food, leave poo pellets everywhere, no fleas or rabies. Just the smell of one around keeps rodents at bay. Teach your kids not to touch snakes - call an adult… which is apparently what they did! .. and do not worry about it. Snakes are god’s creatures too, and very helpful.
For future reference, if it is thick bodied, with tapered neck and thick triangular shaped head, it might be a viper. Most snakes that are long, same size end to end, with a round or oval head, are not likely poisonous. Still shouldn’t handle them. Most people get bit while trying to catch or kill snakes.
Thanks, Connie! Sounds like you`ve had some experience yourself.
This snake wasn`t very big, just about 18 inches long . . . it had a little head and a diamond pattern on it`s back. My MIL said it was a rattler, but there was no button or rattles on the tail, just a kind of bony bit.
Reptile, long, thin, no legs, slithers … so THAT’S what a snake is!
It may have lost its rattler. Snakes have predators too. Good that it was killed - I do like snakes, but while I advocate NOT panicking or worrying about them, you also do not want a poisonous one taking up residence!
We always had snakes in my small suburban yard in Florida. Most were harmless. My dad taught me to tell the difference. I am a long-time snake relocator. I don’t like to take the chance and maybe get bit, but I also don’t like animals to die if there is an alternative.
Oh no. I happen to have a snake phobia. Do you see snakes often there? I may have to reconsider moving there lol…
LOL on the Google search! Your MIL sounds like a scary person. At least we all know she dotes on your kids, otherwise she wouldn’t bother telling you guys off.