Happiness is NOT...

Chiggers. Evil little...what the heck are chiggers anyway? Per the internet which never lies (or it least this website...http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002309/) "Chiggers are tiny, six-legged wingless organisms (larvae) that grow up to become a type of mite. Chiggers are found in tall grass and weeds. Their bite causes severe itching." Severe itching? Duh.  There's a lot I don't know about chiggers but here's what I do know: avoid them. At all costs, avoid them!! Here's a little tale about how I learned that lesson.

Ground Zero.  (literally)

You see, I like to take pictures and while I'm not yet a professional, I really like to get into my work, find the right angle, the perfect shot, you know what I mean? So, when I saw the beautiful blue flower growing in the midst of a dry creek bed I couldn't resist climbing in and seeing what I could do with it. I shot it from all angles, practically laying down to get just the perfect shot. Unbeknownst to me I was not alone in this dry creek bed. There were billions and billions of little invisible creatures crawling around in there with me. They found there way onto my clothes and onto my skin. I knew it probably wasn't going to be good when I heard, "hey, there's a little bug on ya". Ugh. I brushed it off but I suspected he wasn't alone. I was right. He had about a million friends and they traveled in packs.  Within just a few hours I was already starting to itch.

Day 1

Argh!!! The itching is not fun and I must find something soon. I look like I have measles or chicken pox! I think maybe alcohol will kill them. Nope. I ask my legions of FaceBook friends for help and recommendations start pouring in. The more I itch, the more I whine and the more recommendations I get. My wonderful BIL had the best one…"scratch them till they bleed and pour alcohol over them. Won't fix anything but you sure won't forget your bug spray next time!" He's a boy scout. I don't like boy scouts right now.

Day 2

This is probably the worst day. I have been to Walmart a dozen times to buy supplies from the onslaught of recommendations. So far Chiggerx is offering the best (albeit, limited) relief. Crap, this is getting expensive! Of course I am continuing to get more smart ass recommendations about bug spray. Really, people? Really? And then it happens...the best, most glorious recommendation of all: mix together lavender oil and tea tree oil and apply. Off to the store I went (again). Lavender oil was a bit harder to find and quit an investment so I was sure hoping it would work. And it did!! Relief...well, sort of, mostly. Better than anything else so far and that was awesome!

 Days 3-7

So, I have now settled into my chigger relief routine: hot shower, scrub with Aveeno Skin Relief soap, 2nd wash with foaming poison ivy wash (yeah, I know but it has awesome menthol stuff that seems to help),cold water rinse, oil combo rub down, special applications of clear nail polish as needed for the really stubborn spots, wander around naked while everything dries and then, maybe, perhaps, get dressed and get something done!

Day 8

The itching has been reduced to minor irritation now, not the full scale torture worthy of getting even the most tight-lipped prisoner to spill everything. And yes, I have added bug spray to my weekend adventure supply pack!