Ten Things I Never Knew About Termites But Wish I Had...

1. They are sometimes referred to as “white ants.” Incorrectly, may I add. They're actually names are "huge pain in my derriere." Yes. It is. 

2. On a size to creation ratio, some species of termite can create a building the equivalent of 10 times the size of the Empire State Building without exerting great effort. Hah. 

3. They're blind. 

4. There's only a little over 2500 known species.

5. They tunnel and burrow out of sight all their lives, esp in places like the house we're trying to buy.

6. Speaking of ants, termites are one of the longest living insects in the world.  Some queens can live longer than a decade. The ones in the house we're trying to buy...they're immortal and just flat-out refuse to die.

7. They're also historically ancient...they've existed longer than even ants.

8. Termites are the only insects that make full use of their droppings in as many ways as possible. Literally.

Ew.

9. They cause severe damage to wood if they are left undiscovered or undisturbed for a long time. Therefore, having a termite inspection done prior to purchasing a home is always a good idea, especially when purchasing an older home. Be forewarned, however. It will screw up your closing, finances, and any possibility of a good night's sleep.

10. Having dined unchecked on the older home Hubby and I are attempting to purchase, termites are the bane of my existence and loss of my sanity all while leading to the depletion of my checking account and hopes and dreams. 

*sigh*

So.

I feel like a Peep smashed under the Wheel of Life.

Granted, it's a huge overreaction on my part. But I'd been told my son's neurosurgeon was retiring next year. It wasn't true, thankfully. Or, well, not exactly. He's stepping down, but he'll still be seeing patients for some time. I was so ecstatic I could have tackled his secretary through the phone when she clarified things for me.

The thing is, it's now occurred to me that he will retire one day and that we'll have to switch surgeons. As in concretely and truly going to happen.

Don't get me wrong. It's not unexpected. We certainly figured this would happen one day, and we'd never argue the man did not deserve to do so. No one gives of their time and and experience and talents as he does. No one.

Nope. No one.

And I know everything will be fine. We've entrusted our two children's brains to him. Their futures, their lives. Our everything. So I know we can trust him to refer us to a new, just as wonderful surgeon once he moves on. And we've been reassured by those of you out there who've gone through similar shifts in care and tell us all's been well.

I just didn't think it would ever really happen. Crazy, I know. But the man is Superman in my heart. My brain is just telling it to snap out it now, these delusions of mine.

It'll be okay. I know it will. (You all said so, so it must be true. )And this is probably a good thing because now that I know this is inevitable, in my heart as well as my mind, we can plan for it. Be prepared for it.

And that fact makes me feel better--being a scha-mushed Peep is not fun. Not at all. But now eating a sch-mushed Peep...that's a different story.