Homesteading: A Woman's Journey

Red Wasps

I think they are in for the long battle.  The wasps have had a large nest in the attic crawl space for years.  We have used foggers and just about everything we can think of to rid ourselves of these pests.  Thank heavens, they don't get into the house except on the rare occassion.

There is one nest under the eaves in the front of the house.  We have sprayed it often.  Each time, some of the wasps are killed but not all.  We managed to rid ourselves of all the bluish-black wasps.  These red ones, however, are a real pain..........literally.

Three days ago, I was coming home from running a couple of errands and parked in front of the house as I always do.  There were a couple of red wasps buzzing around, but being used to seeing them around, I thought nothing of it.  I opened the passenger side door to take Abbie from her carseat.  As I started to unhook the clasps, I felt a quick, sharp burning pain.  Instantly, my arm felt as though it was on fire.  Sure enough, one of the red wasps had chosen to land on my arm & sting me without provocation.

When I was a child, I was highly allergic to insect bites & stings.  Many times, I would have to go to the ER after a sting to receive antibiotic shots.   I got back into the truck & drove to a neighbor's home just incase I had a bad reaction to the sting.  They treated it with Benadryl gel, which took out the sting.  The area swelled up and was bright red & painful.  After I was sure that I wasn't going to have a reaction that would need a hospital visit, I went to my in-laws' home for awhile.  I wanted to wait until the sun was going down so the wasps would no longer be active.

Today, I still have alot of swelling & pain, but the redness is going away.  Joe's Mom says that it takes a week or so for a wasp sting to heal.  I have been taking Benadryl and Tylenol to control the pain & itching.  Also using Benadryl gel on the affected area.  Poor Joe.  He has already said that had he been home, I would have gone to the hospital right away.  The area is healing very slowly, but it is healing.

On a happier note, Abbie had her usual "Wednesday at Grandma & Grandpa's house" today.  While there, when no one looked like they were paying attention, she took 8 steps without holding onto anything!!!!  Major event!!!!  She is getting more and more brave.  I am really excited over this as Joe is due to get home on Friday.  He will be home for 7 days this time since he was out on the truck for 5 weeks.   With Abbie getting this brave about walking, she is sure to do it while her Daddy is home.

Today, we were very blessed also.  On a local AM radio show called "Tradio", people call in to mention items that they have for sale or are looking for.  It is kindof like a classified ads, but on the radio instead of in the paper.   When I was at Mom & Dad's, Dad heard a guy call in with a great deal.  He was selling 300 lbs. of chicken feed, poultry feeders and waterers for $50.  Dad told me about it and I happened to have the extra cash in my wallet to pay for it.  I called him right away and was able to go to his home to pick up the stuff.  I am amazed!  I have 2 drums (50 gallon each) with the grain in them.  I also got 4 waterers (just one costs $35 new), and 4-5 of the large feeders.  In talking with him, he asked if we were going to have chicks.  When I said that we would be having some, he also gave us 8 of the long chick feeders.  In all, the supplies and feed would have cost us about $250-$300 if I bought it new.   I have enough feed for the poultry to last us for several months.  The 300 lbs. of grain alone would have cost me $48 at the feed store, if I bought the cheap stuff.  This feed is a mixture of cracked corn and a premium quality scratch feed.

What a blessing!  I am so grateful to the Lord for making this available to us and also for having the money needed to get it.  The Lord has helped us so much in our lives.  He continually showers blessings on us.  Many times, the blessings may not be easily recognised.  The blessings are always there though.  Blessings of opportunities to stretch and grow in our faith.  Blessings of health.  Blessings of family & friends.  And the greatest blessing of all..........the blessing of His unchanging LOVE for each of us.

Oh No!

01:07, Thursday, August 2, 2007 .. Posted by weluvhmscl

I really cannot stand those things! Earlier this summer I was outside watching one of my outside cats chasing something that was flying. I thought it was a small hummingbird, as she was in the area where the hummingbirds come to feed. All of the sudden I realized it was the biggest red wasp I have ever seen. I never knew they could get that big! I can only imagine the pain you are in and I'm so glad you didn't have to go to the hospital! Praying for your healing!