It comes with the territory.

This morning, I got up early and went to the gym. When I got home, Jason had already given the kids breakfast, and I got busy rounding up the kids' school uniforms and finishing up our whole morning thing.

Jason asked if I wanted to go shower first, since I'd worked out and I told him to go ahead. I was being lazy, and figured I'd get to it later.

Never have I been more thankful for my questionable hygiene. Cause look what Jason unwittingly took a shower with:
As he was finishing up his shower, he glanced up at the window, which runs the length of our tiny bathroom, and into the shower stall. And, hello Huntsman Spider. Now, if you click on that link, it'll tell you that Huntsman are found in many parts of the world, but are very common in this part of Australia. They are not considered dangerous to humans, but if they bite you it'll hurt. But they don't really bite unless provoked. So, always let them have the remote, laugh at their jokes, and never steal their parking space, I guess.

We haven't found a Huntsman in the house for a few years, but they sure get your attention when they decide to show up. But can I tell you that I would prefer this many, many times over a recurrence of The Rodent Invasion of 2010? I have still not fully recovered from The Pantry Incident. Let's change the subject.

Now, if it'd been me showering and finding the spider, I would've probably run shrieking and wet through the house--terrorizing the children and possibly our neighbors. Jason had the presence of mind to dry off and get dressed before coming downstairs and telling us that we needed to all come check the spider out. Which we did.



Look at Nate's face--he really wants to think this is cool. But he's just not too sure.

Most people prefer to catch Huntsman spiders and release them, cause they kill other bugs--cockroaches, especially. So, on their way to school, Jason and the kids stopped at the bottom of our driveway and let him go. But first I think they blindfolded him and spun him around a few times so he wouldn't find his way back to the house.

Now, all you true blue Aussie readers will tell me, I'm sure, how Huntsmen are no big deals, that you used to let them sit on your shoulder while you ate your toast and Vegemite. I know! I'm a Yankee wimp--we have established that. I embrace it as part of my identity.

I wish all spiders well, as long as they live their full, productive lives not crawling on my wall. Is that too much to ask? Probably.