House rule #1: two legs, and two legs only, please

One of my biggest concerns about moving to Texas was the wide variety of exotic critters that call this part of the world home.

I've certainly seen my share of bugs and insects everywhere else I've lived, and I know there are snakes up north, but when I picture Texas, I see scary things.

Upon accessing the homeowners' association message board, I learned that snakes have been seen in the neighborhood. One guy claims to have seen a water moccasin near the creek that runs through the neighborhood. Guess we better stick to the path.

This morning we had a guy come out to set up the new TV. He inquired as to whether we had pest control services, and I asked him what he saw to make him ask that. He pointed to a teeny tiny spider in a web in a corner and identified it as a "baby male black widow". I was on the phone with a pest control service almost immediately! I haven't gone after the baby spider yet, but I can help but wonder where his mamma (and sisters) might be hanging out...