Botfly, Mama!

So word on the street (or rather, the Internets) is that botflies are relatively common in Belize.  From what I've gathered, the botfly deposits little eggies on a mosquito and then when the mosquito bites you the egg (or larvae at this point; not sure) jumps into the little hole in your skin.  Then it stays right there and grows.  So in a couple of weeks you feel something moving around in your still-itchy bite.....a big fat maggot living off of your bodily fluids.  The tell-tale sign is that there is a small hole in the bump so the cute li'l guy can breathe.  Adorable!

Last week, pretty much overnight, Jesse the Texas Black Dog developed a surprising lump on his snout.  It had a little hole in the middle.  I scoured the internet and became convinced he had a botfly.  Egan was very interested.  When he first saw a picture of a botfly larvae, he pointed to it and said:  "I eat that."  When we got to the videos of people pulling the maggots out of their bodies, he changed his mind.

Jesse with the not-a-botfly mark on his snout.

I took Jesse to the vet and it turned out it was just a nothing little bit of nothing.  But botflies have been on the brain I guess because a couple days ago, Egan pointed to a blemish on my face and with a big smile said:  "Botfly, Mama!".

For a graphic and amusing tale of a recent botfly removal, check out the "As the Coconuts Drop" blog that I have a link to on the left side of this page.

Me at work!

Remember awhile back I mentioned signing some mysterious papers?  Okay, maybe you don't but I promised to explain later, so here goes:  We are now partners in Caye Caulker Properties For Sale, a successful real estate business on the island.  The other day we rode out to the north island to take some property photos and scope out another upcoming listing.  Here are a couple choice photos:

Egan all decked out in his boating gear.

On our way back.  There's the north caye behind us.

This one is for Cara!  Here is the magic of the nursing necklace in action. 

So....how awesome is that?!  Sure, as a Realtor in Austin, TX I sometimes brought the baby along when I took property pics or when I showed houses to super-cool clients (like Joy and Adam!), but did I get to do it on a boat?  Did I get to nurse while I drove?  Were shoes optional? 

Gratuitous Egan Cuteness Photo

Oh, the products from China (and other lands)

One thing we are struggling with is the lack of availability of safe and quality products, particularly those for children.  Most of these are from China but they are not the same Chinese products one finds in the States.  The ones we get here are guaranteed to fall apart or not work or be poisonous.  LITERALLY.  Here is the latest example:

Behold Egan's new FAVE toys!  He love, love, loves them.  Soon after we began playing with them, I noticed a noxious odor.  Serious off-gassing smell.  I picked up the product packaging and turned it over to see....

Seriously?!  Wash hands after handling this CHILD's TOY?!  Now I must make them disappear.  

 

The flip flops we bought him had a similar odor but no warning.  The fire truck fell apart into lovely little choky parts.  Our fan (made in Mexico?) worked for a month.  This is pretty much just how it goes.  The solution is to have our visiting friends bring us these things but that means waiting....and waiting.  We are getting good at patience.  Things move slowly here anyway, so this fits right in. 

But the toys labeled as poisonous are totally out of hand.  Right?

This is a test...

Okay, y'all....I am convinced that the only people reading this blog are Tommy's mom (she leaves comments, so there is evidence) and our friend Sherry.  I haven't updated lately because I was starting to feel silly about it.  So....if anyone is out there, please leave a comment here to tell me you are there.  Or just email Tommy or me and let us know.  Otherwise, I'm probably going to lay it to rest.  I am thinking that if six people are reading it, then I will keep it up.  AND.....if you are just here because Tommy told you or posted on FB, then you don't count as part of the six.  I know who you are!  And I love you of course...