The first half of yesterday was fine, in spite of the drag having an adrenaline rush so early in the morning leaves on you. I had 9 whole hours I could get away from the house and not worry about scorpions! Well, minus the time I spent yesterday slapping at myself every time my hair or shirt tag brushed my skin. Which was probably the equivalent of about 3 hours.
As the day progressed, however, so did the feeling of dread in the pit of my stomach. I had to go back into the house. I had to somehow sleep in the house. How in the world was I going to manage?
Fortunately, I was spared from some of my usual Wednesday evening time in the house by going to a painting class, where I painted this:
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| You lush. |
I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out, considering I haven't painted anything since probably 3rd grade.
I also ironically drank some wine while painting wine, so heading home, the scorpion thing didn't seem like such a bad deal.
Until I got home. And there, looming in a deceptively comfortable looking state, sat my bed. Calling to me. Beckoning to me. "Sleeeeep. SLEEEEP!".
I wasn't having it, however. I got ready for bed, which didn't consist of much considering I slept fully dressed, turned out the light in my room, and peaced out. Romeo slept in there on his dog bed, as he is a brave boy, but Fiona, Ramses and I stayed in the living room.
I turned the lamp and Christmas lights that are still strung up in the living room (like a coupla rednecks) on, along with the tv, and sat down and played solitaire. Over. And over. Trying to tick away the nighttime hours, when scorpions are most active. But then, alas, my phone started dying, so I had to go plug it in and then go back to the couch, where I just stared at it for a few minutes. Finally, I gingerly picked up all of the blankets that were draped over it and moved them across the room, then went through all of the cushions, one-by-one. I found some forgotten cheerios, but no creepy-crawlies. I then looked over the sides, back and front of the couch, and the space around it. Nothing. So, I carefully laid down in the fetal position. I was up and down for a little while, from the tingly sensations washing over my skin that felt like little segmented feet, but I finally chilled out and kind of dozed off sometime after 12.
BUT THEN THERE WAS A SCORPION CRAWLING UP MY CHEST AND...! I jerked straight up, breathing fast and hard, only to find no scorpion. Apparently my cruel subconscious dreamed it was running up my body. After my heart finally slowed from its frantic tempo, I got up to check the time. 4:00 AM. I threw a small tantrum that it wasn't time to get up yet, and, after checking the cushions again, laid back down again. I noted that the tv was playing an episode of Law and Order with my favorite agents (Detectives Goren and Eames), which apparently comforted me enough that I could drift back to sleep. I guess I figured that at least if I died by scorpion sting, they'd be around to make notes and give my last regards to my family. Or something.
And I think I managed to stay asleep until a little before 6:30, when my mind reminded me that was the time yesterday the scorpion decided to drop in on me. I figured I could call the night a success as I had seen no actual scorpions, got up, and got ready for work.
But now I am SO exhausted. In fact, I wore my glasses today so I could take a nap at lunch in my relatively safe office. Is this my life now? Until winter hits in January, I'm not sure I'll be able to feel safe in my bed, let alone my house. I at least get to spend the weekend with some friends at the lake house, but I have another long night between now and then. I'm just hoping I can make it to the house without falling asleep at the wheel tomorrow evening.
I know I'm obsessing, but scorpions are my biggest literal fear (only behind my biggest figurative fear, zombies), and waking up with one has not been a kind experience for me. Or it, I guess, since it's no longer with us.
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