Can't Escape the Snakes!

Okay - I really am believing I live on a snake bed at this point.

I raked up leaves a month or 3 ago, but never quite got around to bagging them - we still had leaves falling and blowing around - so what was the point?  Then we got rain so I didn't want to bag wet leaves... and let me honest with myself here - I just didn't want to bag them but was unwilling to pay someone else to do it.

So finally, the weather has gotten nicer and I was going to start having spring cookouts - so the leaves had to go.  Now, if you recall, the last time I raked leaves, I raked up a snake - still alive.  It gives you this paranoia about raking leaves.  But, I had on my big girl panties and my thick gloves, so I was committed.

Tim opted for the manly way, bare hands and elbows deep into the leaf piles.  I cautioned him about snakes and he informed them that they would be hibernating and that they generally hibernated in large groups - so we would know by the first scoop.  I am still not sure if that was true... and I don't know if it was more calming to think we would definitely know if there were snakes or more terrifying to think that there could be multiple to deal with if they were hibernating in my piles.

So we approach the last pile.  He start scooping and I spot one.  That is right - there is a snake in my leaf pile again! It looks dead, but then again I have never seen a hibernating snake and I don't want to take chances.  We scoop it onto the rake and take it to the sidewalk.  As much as I am not cool with snakes, I wanted to see it more closely.  It didn't seem to move - but was in perfect condition - no indication of death.

We poked at it like little kids on the beach with a jellyfish.  Maybe it slightly moved.  Maybe it was my mind playing tricks.  Either way, it got a brick to the head.

We tossed it and I went back to bagging leaves with my gloved hands.  Tim opted to use the rake.

I am Suzy Homemaker, snake wrangler.

Cold Blooded Snakes!

Fall is a time for cooler weather - which is always a nice break from the scorching summers we have here in the South.  With the cooler weather, I always personally look forward all of the bugs, mosquitoes, and snakes heading south or underground or dying - whatever they do in the winter, good riddance. 

With the changing of the weather, the leaves were beautiful this year - but resulted in about million dead leaves to clean up.  I can't complain really, I love the fact that I have trees (even though I think many of the leaves come from my neighbors - but I am sure my trees are just as friendly and share back).

So this weekend, I headed out to do another round of cleanup - before the rain was suppose to come in.  The first rake-ful of leaves I pull back - what happens?  Oh, that is right, a snake jets out from the leaves.  At this point, I really believe I have a snake infestation on my property somewhere.

I kept raking the snake back into the street until Tim was able to find a stone and drop it on the snake's head to kill it.  So it wasn't big - but it was a snake - and it is now dead.  Whatever happened to snakes avoiding the cooler weather?  It makes you think twice before picking up leaves with your hands.

Beware snakes - I am Suzy Homemaker!

PS - The rake in the picture - is amazing - it cuts your raking time down.  I can do my entire back yard in under 30 minutes.  Now bagging leaves - I will have to get back to you on a time saver once I find a good one!

Death of a Snake

Yup - that is right -the ever so fierce snake just didn't cut it in my backyard.  While I almost had another heart attack in finding the snake - I was very pleased to find him dead.  Some other animal - I am going to go with bird or squirrel - bit the snake's head off - thank you friendly, non-slithery backyard friends.

Now I just hope that he didn't have a family...

Snake Pit

Day 1
I just finished signing away my life.  I am now officially a debtor - I mean homeowner... So because I was not blessed with patience and have been struggling to develop it, as soon as I had those keys in my hot little hands, I had to move in (that and my apartment lease was up the next day).

     So, I start moving stuff in.  The air was not on - but I was okay with not paying for it since my doors were mainly open during this process.  I stay at my old place that night as the movers were coming the next day and as excited as I was to be in my own house, I was not thrilled about sleeping on the floor.

Day 2
Still no air, but didn't really think about it - still moving, doors still always open.  I had an obligation out of town that night so I didn't think about it more (plus Dad was coming up the next day and I decided reserve that for him).

Day 3
It is approximately 86 degrees in my house.  While I don't require an icebox for a house, I do prefer to keep it at 77 in the summer.  Anything over 81 degrees is a bit much even for me.  So, as a proud new homeowner, I decide to look into the situation.  The display is out.  Change batteries - display is working - and I am feeling proud of myself.  See that wasn't so hard. 

Only the air still doesn't cut on.  Breaker - maybe it is off - (again very proud that I think of this).  Check it - not the issue.  Still no air.  Dad comes and he doesn't have any answers.  Great.  As soon as I walk into the house some major aspect isn't working.  Typical.

Day 4
Talk to my realtor and inspector and am told that it could be that the main switch for the HVAC is flipped off under the house - simple and free fix - just crawl under the house and flip it back on.
I am hot and desperate at this point.  I put on my big girl panties, grab a flash light and go to the crawl space.
Exhibit A (below): My crawlspace.

So, I open the crawlspace door and a snake jumps out at me.  Naturally, I scream at the top of my lungs and about jump over my fence.  Now to answer your questions: Yes, it was a snake.  It exited the crawlspace and went around my house. No, I do not know what kind, other than very much alive and active.

I walked away at this point.  There was no way that I was crawling into the snake den.  I go back inside and realize that it is hotter in my house than it is outside.  I took a moment, grabbed a shovel (like I could really try to over after the snake to kill it) and went back to the snake pit.

Yup, I did it.  I actually crawled under my house.  I found the switch and cut it back on.  The air cut back on and I didn't see any (more) snakes.  For those of you who know me well, I did not have a heart attack or need to change out my big girl panties.  Call it brave or stupid - but I did it.  I am a homeowner - hear me roar (and sometimes scream)!